Bellevue Washington, just outside Seattle, is full of activities and opportunities for community members and visitors to learn. Some of these experiences are outdoors, like visiting the Bellevue Botanical Garden or Kelsey Creek Farm; while other activities are indoors, including many museums and galleries. This article will briefly highlight three different museums or galleries that you may visit while in Bellevue. We will highlight the Bellevue Arts Museum, KidsQuest Children’s Museum, and Rotella Gallery, all located in Bellevue.
1. Bellevue Arts Museum
Wanting to see abstract art, modern art, and art in a variety of mediums? The Bellevue Arts Museum, frequently referred to as BAM, provides the community with access to art and creative design. The exhibitions are constantly changing, most staying in the museum for a short time (a few months usually) before moving to a new location. If you were to visit the Bellevue Arts Museum as this article is being written, you may see colorful and artistic handmade papers, a wall of plates depicting the final meals of death row inmates, paintings of a variety of styles with differing themes, and a number of other mediums of art. Visit the Bellevue Arts Museum website for information regarding current exhibits before you go!
2.KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Kids learn through creativity and activity. KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue strives to create learning experiences through play and exploration. KidsQuest has been open since 2005. The exhibits at the KidsQuest Children’s Museum are interactive and hands-on, many of which are very sensory and invite children to learn through curiosity. Here are a few of the exhibits you can expect to see at KidsQuest Children’s Museum:
Atrium Climber
The Atrium Climber is a large two story jungle-gym-like structure for children to explore and climb all over. This is the largest exhibit at KidsQuest Children’s Museum. Climb on ropes and netted material to different levels and platforms.
Bellevue Mercantile
This exhibit draws off of the history of Bellevue, showing a store, farm, and yard depicting the Bellevue Mercantile. Here you can work the cash register, wash a cow with air hoses, and collect eggs and milk that you can sell at the store. This display teaches about farming as part of the economy and where our food comes from.
Cityscape
The Cityscape exhibit has blocks for children to build with, trains and cars to play with, and a mini-city table to familiarize themselves with a city layout.
Art Studio
The Art Studio is a great place for children to express creativity, play with paint, and explore art. On certain days, you can sign up for your child to play with clay and even glaze and fire their creations.
3. Rotella Gallery
The Rotella Gallery is a local art gallery in Bellevue. All photographs shown in the Rotella Gallery are the work of Robert Rotella. The Rotella Gallery is the only place where you can view Robert Rotella’s photographs in person.
Robert Rotella grew up in New York and developed a love of photography at a young age. He has degrees in finance and chemical engineering, but loves art and photography. Over the years, Rotella has transitioned from photographing cities and people to focusing more on flower macro photography and landscapes. He currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Rotella Gallery sells Rotella’s photographs and has in-house printing for those who purchase the photographs. The quality of printing is above that of most other printing institutions. Additionally, if you wish to have your purchase framed, that is available as well. If you wish to visit the Rotella Gallery in Bellevue WA, it must be by appointment.
In Conclusion
Bellevue WA has many opportunities to explore creative pursuits and artistic expression. These three places are just a few of the ways you can dive into art and become inspired yourself. If you find yourself in Bellevue, make sure to take time to visit these places.
